Some people tend to focus on the terrifying realities that is global warming, to scare people into recycling and saving energy. Although the facts of what is happening to our globe are earth shattering (no pun intended… or was it?) let’s take a moment to realize that we are doing an amazing job in working towards a greener future.
Did you know that Vancouver has the lowest per-capita carbon footprint of any major North American city? Our green house gas emissions are actually on a DECLINE, and we have the greenest neighbourhood in North America (South East False Creek, Olympic Village). Please excuse me as I burst with pride. I love reading about other cities who are aiming for a greener footprint and mention Vancouver as the city to beat. For example, in this article from Green City Times that bluntly lays out how we intend to do it:

create 20,000 new green jobs and become a center for green business

reduce carbon emissions by 33% compared to 2007, and become a leading city in fighting climate change

increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce the demand for energy (over 90% of the city’s energy already is mostly hydroelectricity,

all new industrial/ municipal construction to be carbon-neutral, improve efficiency of existing buildings by 20%

Oh… yes! there’s more… visit their site for the full list Green City Times.
People noticed when we set our sights even higher and made an action plan to have Vancouver be the greenest city in the world in 2020. I’m excited to find out our progression and to keep you updated.
Check back soon!

Think of environmental issues and you will probably imagine pollution problems, ecosystem complications and global warming. But all these problems are linked to the most important issue facing our globe: Water Shortage.

Sure, it seems like water is everywhere so how could there be a such a need to conserve it?

We don’t exactly have access to the salt-water oceans and seas that make up 97.5% of the world’s water supply for our everyday use. This is because it is not economically feasible to extract freshwater from salt-water.

Out of the remaining 2.5% of the globe’s water supply that is freshwater, more than half is in the form of glaciers and permanent snow cover… that doesn’t leave us with much to work with.

Living in rainy Vancouver, we take water for granted. With a little bit more information and willingness, we can move towards progress. The best part is that it’s just a few easy changes! Here are a few facts to ponder and a useful link at the bottom of the post to help guide you to make the few small changes that will make a HUGE difference:

Canada is the largest producer of hydroelectricity, followed by the United States and Brazil.

Canada has some of the world’s most extensive water resources. But we also consume far more per person than in other countries. Each of us use about 260 liters of water each day – about 10 times the global average!

Approximately 1,000 kilograms of water is required to grow 1 kilogram of potatoes.

Below are the typical residential indoor water use in Canada:

toilet – 30

bathing and showering – 35%

laundry – 20%

kitchen and drinking – 10%

cleaning – 5%

A 5-minute shower with a standard shower head uses 100 litres of water

A 5-minute shower with a low-flow shower head uses less than 50 litres of water.

Being a Green Clean Institute Certified company, we want to spread the word on how people can be green in their everyday lives. You will be impressed with how simple it is just to do your part, here are some simple ways you can get started right today…

1: Unplug
Switching off the lights when you walk out of a room doesn’t only save energy but it also saves you money on your electrical bill; in a year you will see that you have more spending money than usual. Taking an extra second or two to turn off the computer and printer when they are not in use, will not only cut down on the energy usage but it will also prevent the computers from overheating. Unplugging TVs and fans before you head to work will also save on the amount of energy used in your household. When buying new appliances purchase the Energy Star and Greener Choices for efficiency ratings, and cut down on the extra appliances: an ice maker would be nice but is it really necessary?

2: Use Less Water
In the average home the water heater is second in energy usage next to the heating system.

This can be cut drastically just by doing simple things and risking a little. Turning down the water temperature to 120 degrees is a start, and a good start might I add. Wash full loads of laundry in cold water; if you must use hot then just rinse in cold. Don’t take a hot steamy bath, but instead a quick shower. Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators, and turn the water off when you’re shaving or brushing your teeth.

If you want to plan for the future you can also get a solar powered water heating system, then you won’t have to be so worried about using hot water.

3: Switching to Fluorescent Bulbs
I know you have been avoiding fluorescent bulbs because you fear the annoying buzzing tubes of your grade school, or the strobe light affect they had. But fluorescent bulbs have come a long way, and I mean loooong way.

You want the ones with higher lumens (not watts) for brighter light, read carefully for a color rendering index (CRI) over 80, or cues like “warmer light” to get closer to incandescence while saving $30 in energy costs over the life of each bulb, and that is huge savings. You wouldn’t think about it at first, but since I got your attention with the savings I think you should consider the switch.

Not to mention the benefit to the planet: Energy Star has dozens of similarities to tell you how much pollution you avert by simply replacing your feverish incandescent bulbs with chill fluorescent ones; they all add up to a huge benefit for the earth.

4: Pick less Packaging
Do consumer products really need layers of packaging that must be planned carefully to open? Does it really have to be a struggle to open a package? The answer is simple: it doesn’t, it should be nice and easy to remove the product from the package. The precious cargo is placed inside a pouch inside a plastic exoskeleton inside a paper sleeve, then bagged for easy transport. Sounds cute and cuddly. But for a stick of gum or a fresh tooth brush, it’s frustrating, time-consuming, a waste of resources and a waste of time to struggle to open the package.

With so many similar products crowding store aisles, try choosing one that sports less packaging. You’ll find that companies that give careful thought to packaging waste are probably considerate of, say, pesticide-free agriculture or humane working conditions, too. Don’t have time to comparison-shop? Simply buying product refills can make you feel good about the purchase, and save a few cents.

5: Buy Local and Organic Food
Buying locally grown produce, whether it’s from a green market, a farm stand, or a conscientious supermarket, can conserve fuel, reduce pollution, and support your local economy … not to mention, produce grown nearby doesn’t require preservatives, waxing and fancy packaging to keep it fresh.

Likewise, spending the extra money on organic produce will not only keep you from potentially ingesting toxic pesticides, but it’s good for the environment. Support organic farmers, and you’ll be helping to protect water from pollutants, cut down on soil erosion, and conserve the energy and expense it takes to produce synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. As well, there’s no doubt about it- organic and locally grown produce just tastes better.

6: Drive Less
A daily car commute of 32 km round trip can add up to more than $2,000 per year, parking not included. Look into car pooling in your local neighborhood, at work, train and bus routes see if they go near your destination. Biking is another great option, with cities adding bike lanes it becomes easier to get from point a to point b. Biking also will help you keep fit, and forces you to make more trips to the grocery store; therefore eating healthier and burning off those calories. Using any of these possible options not only save you money but will reduce gas emission in the environment.

Replacing even one or two car trips a week will trim your fuel bill (and probably your waistline), but driving smarter can also help. Combine multiple errands into one trip, frequent nearby shops, and try to group your family’s appointments together. Think about the most efficient route before heading out, and try to avoid busier traffic times.

7: Plant a Tree
No gardening project offers quite such instant gratification as planting your own tree. You get exercise, immediate visual stimulation, and some serious self-satisfaction. Your tree will convert nasty pollutants to pure oxygen and offer a welcome to wildlife — and tree roots can help sway erosion. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, helping to reduce global warming.

Depending on what kind of tree you choose, and where you plant it, the shade can gradually help to cool your home as well as offer a perfect spot for contemplation, meditation or recreation. Trees are charming planted for a child as a living growth chart, or in memory of a loved one.

8: Recycle More
Savvy shopping and a little creativity can keep your trash pile from mounting. Judge products by their recycled packaging, such as bottles, cans, paper wrappings, and cereal boxes. Choose stationery and other supplies made from recyclable materials that are better the second time around. Re-using as much product as you can will save you from buying new ones every time. Don’t buy bottled water, buy a glass water bottle and use and re-use it, it will cut down on the plastic bottles.

Take your used car batteries, antifreeze, and motor oil back to participating mechanics. Return plastic bags to the grocery store. Give old cell phones and cars to your favorite charity. Compost your leftovers and keep your lawn well fed by letting grass-mown clippings lie. Think outside that empty cardboard box: It’s a fairytale fort for a five-year-old. Finally, hang an old flat tire to a tree and make a swing for green-minded folks of all ages.

9: Buy Green Power
In many states and provinces, you can opt to purchase renewable energy from your local power company, and then rest easy knowing you just sent that email from your wind- or methane-powered computer. To find out if your local utility has a green power source, check the Green Power Network’s U.S. map and Energy Exchange in Canada. Austin Energy generated the most green power last year, followed by Portland General Electric. Xcel Energy (in Colorado and elsewhere) had the highest number of customers who purchased renewable energy (more than 49,354). Help nudge your local utility toward a deeper shade of green by opting into their renewable energy program.

10: Spread the Word
Want to shake some sense into people? Use the web as your own personal bullhorn to make the world a greener place. Inform your inner circle about good causes or upcoming legislation via e-mail. You can also direct friends to Live the Change to familiarize themselves with personal impact calculators, simple tips, activism options, and blogs of others in the community who are trying to make the planet a little greener.

It’s inevitable that most Commercial Cleaning Service providers have all by now incorporated Green practices in their business as Environmental awareness is becoming more noticeable nowadays, especially with the catchphrase “going green” is becoming more popular. It is something that almost everyone nowadays gravitates towards in one way or another, from big and small businesses. Entrepreneurs are becoming more aware of the impact of this movement on people, and that is why they are jumping on the green bandwagon.
Environmental awareness can be practiced in many ways, and one feasible and easy way for companies to do this is by switching to a Green Certified Janitorial services provider.

Sounds like a simple and responsible thing to do right?, however, some companies worry about the costs involved when considering the services of a cleaning company, let alone, one that is “Green Clean Certified” because the notion that it is too expensive and will eat into their profits is just not true. The good news is that while it is true, one would need to shell some money it’s really not that much more that you’d think and in the long run the rewards far outweigh the costs.

Hiring an environmental friendly cleaning service is good, not only for your customers but also to your employees. Did you know that a building can emit 36% more acceptable to VOC contamination up to two hours after cleaning? A green service provider will use products that are not harmful to the earth and enhance the indoor air quality to create a healthy working environment promoting good health to your customers and your staff. Having a healthy work place has been proven to also reduce employee sick days with can lead to possible liabilities or work delays.

Using green products will also give the cleaning service staff some peace of mind knowing that the products they use are less likely to do harm while carrying out their regular cleaning tasks. Aside from all these benefits, using a green janitorial service promotes environmental awareness to your customers and your employees. The best reason to incorporate a Green Cleaning Service is the huge benefits to the environment as the obvious reason would be less contamination from hazardous cleaning chemicals, but having a certification also means that the Company is committed to reducing their carbon foot print in more ways than one and that my friends… will benefit our local communities and also globally as well.